When Diego Lopes made his UFC debut in May 2023, losing a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev at UFC 288, few thought they were looking at a man who was less than two years away from a UFC featherweight title shot. But with reigning UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria vacating his title to move up in weight, the door has suddenly swung open wide for a red-hot Lopes.
A five-fight win streak has landed Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, where he’ll face former UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski, with the freshly vacated 145-pound title on the line.
“I’m a little bit surprised, because I know the idea is Ilia 100% [trying] for the [155-pound title],” Lopes said Monday on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I was sure that I would fight for a title in my next fight, but I’m surprised I’m fighting for a vacant title this time, so I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
Lopes, 30, was set on fighting for UFC gold after his big unanimous decision win over two-time title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306 this past September. Whether or not that was for the actual title or an interim placeholder, the Mexican submission specialist only knew that he was up to the challenge.
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There was a possibility of fighting in a homecoming bout when UFC heads back to Mexico City in March, however that was more of a timing situation, and a fight booking was never “real,” according to Lopes.
But Lopes threw out Volkanovski’s name as soon as he defeated Ortega, and now he gets his wish.
“I think now Alex is going to be better [than before], right?” Lopes said. “The guy [has] stayed rested, only training, resting, [staying] healthy for the next fight. Alex 100% deserved the next fight for the title. I think the guy [has been] staying in [his] preparation [for this chance] for such a long time. I think now is a good time for Alex to come back, but I’m still here for the fight. I have a great opportunity on my hands. I’m ready for a big fight [against] Alex.”
Although Lopes was surprised to see Topuria vacate the title entirely, he expected the champ’s move to lightweight. Early in his short reign, Topuria teased his goals of becoming a two-division champion.
Topuria’s next bout feels like it has to be against the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, but Lopes isn’t so sure.
“I’m not surprised [Topuria left], because in October [2024], Ilia said that you move up after a win over Max [Holloway], right? I’m not surprised, but yeah, this is your decision, right?” Lopes said.
“[Lightweight] is obviously a very tough decision, and I don’t think UFC will just give him a title shot moving up to 155. He might have to fight one more fight before he even gets that opportunity, but let’s just see how that plays out.”
Volkanovski heads into UFC 314 on a two-fight skid, having suffered knockout losses in a lightweight title challenge against Makhachev followed by the loss to Topuria that cost him the featherweight title.
Those recent performances have given Lopes a lot of useful film to study, he said, especially Volkanovski’s knockout loss to Topuria in February 2024.
“I learned so much because this is an interesting fight, right?” Lopes said of Topuria vs. Volkanovski. “It is maybe the similar style for me. I’m so aggressive [from the beginning], Ilia [is] the same, but the difference for this fight, I’m long and I’m a tall guy. Alex, I think how he came in UFC, he only fought tall guys, right? I think it’s a different fight, Alex and Ilia, but I like it. I like the fight in the close distance.”
Despite the fact that UFC 314’s main event is a battle for the vacant title — not a true champion vs. challenger situation, as is usually the case — Lopes sees his clash with Volkanovski as a legitimate, undisputed title bout. And regardless of the outcome, Lopes would still relish an opportunity to fight Topuria down the road.
“I’m facing the best guy all-time in the division,” Lopes said. “Alex [stayed] on the top for so long time, only [had] one loss in the 145 [division] — the guy had five defenses for the title. I think the one to win this fight is the real champion.
“Ilia is still young, I think he’s 27, 28 — maybe in the future, I have one fight [with] this guy.”
